The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-29
EASY, BUT DANGEROUS.
THE ART OF CONTEMPLATING MONEY
BRINGS TROUBLE TO THE GUILTY
Deputy United States Marshal Spratley
Uncovers Gang Near Duncan, Miss,
from Which Sensations Are Expected
"A Boy Girl Inmate of the Camp.

"A Boy-Girl Inmate of the Camp.
CHATS fine looking boy / have over
on that bench, isn't it?'' remarked Deputy
United States Marshal w. \. Spratlcy 10
an ApPrAL reporter yesterday afternoon,
ut the police station-house A glance in
the direction indicated revealed a youth
iul looking colored person dressed in boys
clothes, sitting ON one OF the benches lin
inc the west wall. A look OF timidiiy, but
unconccr1:, was clearly depicted ON the
face, and the hands moved about nery-
ously. "rhc boy is n girl, explained
Mr.. Spratley, as he saw that the reporter
could detect nothing out OF the usual run
OF things about the inspected individual.
eco back aud question her, and perhaps
yor may get an interesting item"
"With pointer from you rs 10 the
character OF the item the task would be an
easier one suggested the reporter
II have no objection TO giving you the
pointer" cheoriully asscntcd the officer.
"a few days since | WAS called upon to
visit the nejghborhool OF Duncan, Bolivar
county. Miss, TO look out tor and arrest a
negro named John Majors for violating
the internal revenue law by selling
whisky without license. That's the fellow
sitting them by the stove. From Coahoma
was working over the wire TO Cleveland,
station below Duncan, getting iniorma-
ton about other crimes against the
government in that section. My
suspicious had previously been drawn a.
Duncan ~ the rendezvous OF n gang OF
ccunterietcrs, and this was discussed in
the Geographic communication with Glove
land. When | arrived at Duncan ii was
soon discovered that somebody had let shc
cat out Of the hag. was told that u
detective in the employ OF the government
had been there the day previous, worked
on the case, was heightened from his duty,
aud had warned tie countcncitoH that
unless they left the country trouble would
follow. ! knew the locality OF the spurious
coin mandatory, however, and went out.
II was about two miles and a hall back OF
Duncan on llawdOns lake. When ]
reached the place no one was about but
that colord person, whom | Of course
thought was boy. A search Of the
premises gave mo these evidences OF
countericiting, so / took charge Of them
and arrested him, or her. When We got
back 10 Duncan ! was informed that my
prisoner was a girl, and, in order 10 de-
tcrmine the sen, had an examination
made. II was girl, SURF enough. Now
you may question her"
Before leaving Mr.. Spratley, the reporter
examined the other evidences OF counter
fciting carried. which consisted Of plaster
paris mold and two pieces Of the compost
ton metal. The officer further stated thai
preparations had been made by the gunl
Tor run Of dollan-the only denomina
ton molded-the night before his arrival
but on account Of inumation Of impending
danger, which had been given them, the
idea was abandoned and tho molds an,
metal thrown into the lake.
The Girl prisoner was then interviewed
~~pnd told rather lishy story, corroboratiy'
oil the frightened and tratorous govern
ment detective yarn. She Eud:
''My name Ia Josie Williams. In ia
camp they call me Joe. / am thrice
years OF age. About two months ago ] va
living with Mm. Evans, at Pine Bud, Arb
A man named Dickson was boarding will
MB. Evans About two weeks after h
came there he told me II | would 90 wit
him he would treat me kindly and drcs
me nicely. We left the house Of Mn
Evans, and went into the woods, where
remained until Dickson brought me som
boys clothing. After the change w
made, We went 20 a plantation near lie
ena, and both Of us picked cotton for
week. Leaving there, We went 10 siaN
camp near Duncan, and worked ten ia,
nt stayc making. Then Dickson aud
man named Jack began their counterfeit
ing"
GLOW did they work h2"
"Thcy made slaves whenever the wcail
er was good, and ON uiny days and Sul
days made money. Whenever they bCea
this l. was not allowed 10 remain Ia u
cabin, except one day.
"llpw did Dickson and Jack happen
b. absent when the marshal arrived
their mmpr'
"a man Who came with another onic
told them Il they did not leave they wuu
have trouble
Mr. Spmilcy ioos not believe the lait
part oi this story. ior the mason that 7
man in the employ oi the goyDrnmc
would have gone about the business
hapging the game Ia any such loose az
couurlly way Beside. Il any such m.
had hccn there working ON the cnsc
would have been informed. Ills upinp
IA that thgr arC ten or twelve persons h
plicaicd. some ul them prominent nc Du
can. lie strongly suspects lradiur ~,
chant them oi hgiuguut only familiar vi
The gang operations, but un alder W
Rhcitur therein. The girl WIS asked abo
this party aud said ho had sent ior Ii
Yesterday, iur the tint time, In order
hear her story. Mt SpuicyB opinion
that the couspirtun resident 90 pu
can got wind ui the proposed visit thruu
his Geographic communication with Gle,
land, aud thus gave the warning, nc {
same time teaching the girl her lcsso
The otlccr and bis prisoners lett vest
day afternoon for oxiorj Miss, tie 3
being only M witness.
That spurious dollars have been mar
featured aud circulated from Duncan o.
that section ui tho state il pretty we'll
tablishod,.... There are twon negroes NJ
under arrest In tlis city iur passing cot